MERRICK - The STAR tax rebate program is designed to save New Yorkers money, but some Long Island residents say a local company is charging them to file their STAR applications.

Jodie Insinga, of Merrick, says she got a bill for $1,400 from STAR Exemption Advisor in East Meadow. A few months earlier, the company sent her a STAR application for her to fill out.

She didn't realize that the company had also sent a contract that said it would file the form for her for the $1,400 fee. Officials say filing a STAR application is free and that there is no need to use a third party. The company is legal, however.